Longheld wish a big step nearer

For many years now, I've wanted to raise my own chicks and have my 'own' flock of chickens; it's happening now :)  My friend bought a lovely incubator which we will share between us, and I have bought a brooder. The added extra for me is that this really is my project - anything I need so far I have bought/shared, and I will build the wee house/repair one and run too, all without input from others. No half hearted attempt at self-reliance in this case, it's all or nothing!  I'll be keeping records etc too, to see how the project goes over time, and am starting a separate blog in the next couple of days as part of it, details and links to follow when up and running. Initially the  hens will be for egs; I may get into meat birds/dual purpose in the future, but not for the moment. Anyone who knows me/reads my blogs etc knows of my Scottish connections and love of rare breeds, so to this end, I bought a dozen Scots Dumpy eggs on e-bay, which arrived safe and sound yesterday: They are now snuggled inside the incubator, which is turning slowly back and forth on the table beside me. Hopefully by the end of the month I will have the beginnings of my own flock of rare breed chickens. Be assured there will be lots of  photos on the blog, and lots of progress reports. I am more determined than ever to be able to do things by myself and on my own, being truly self-reliant, no half measures here lol It's a good feeling and a real boost to have made such a start :) Scots Dumpy, also known as Bakies, Crawlers and Creepies have been bred in Scotland for over a century. Similar breeds can be traced back to AD900 and it is said that the Picts used to carry them into their battle camps where they used to warn of approaching strangers. They have a very heavy body and waddle as they walk due to their very short legs. They are large, low birds with long broad bodies, a deep breast and medium sized, neatly tucked wings. The tail is long and flowing and they have a fine head. The beak is curved, the eyes are large and bright and they have a medium single comb which is upright and serrated. The face is smooth and the earlobes are small while the wattles are medium sized. They have four toes and very short legs.  (from Omlet website) Pic from FeatherSite.com

Back in the groove.............

Completely out of commission yesterday; I put my back out badly on Monday morning and could hardly move; it's happened before, so I knew that with more or less complete rest it would be fine in 48 hours or so. So yesterday, I did zilch, anda, nothing, zero!!!!  I mean it, absolutely nothing apart from washa few dishes - and that took half an hour. True to form, though, am much better today, just the odd twinge, so am being careful still, especially if I cough or sneeze - that way lies disaster............... Full of energy this morning, but have beent aking it slowly. I've just come back in from a garden wander. Strange old gardening year so far, isn't it?  I see one of the branches of the Victoria may be sadly lost, will need to get up close and personal for an inspection to decide what to do - wrested from the trunk by the recent high winds. I can spy no quinces, and few apples, so assume it was a difficult year for pollination. All is lost not, there a few on the Bardsey Island tree. The rest of the garden seems to have thrived on semi-neglect, warmth and a LOT of rain! Poppy treasures are appearing right now Soft fruit ready for harvesting too - black currants, redcurrants, gooseberries and a load of raspberries. I'll pick the rasps this afternoon in case of more rain, and the rest at the weekend. The garden smells of roses and rain, and I spent a half hour up the top with the poultry and goats, scratching their necks and watching the bees. It's nice out there, warm now and sunny, but with the threat of rain in the air. How's your garden doing?

Tonight's full moon - 3rd July

Lots happening! http://www.mysticmamma.com/full-moon-in-capricorn-july-3rd-2012/ Picture credit: http://www.elfwood.com/~roppert/Full-Moon.3167429.html

Twas the night before shopping

Twas the night before shopping And all through the house Tummies were rumbling Yes - even the mouse! Fridges were empty Apart from some scraps - A half of a lemon and two crumbly baps. Soft tomatoes and onions were chopped in a pan, With leftover cheese sauce (not out of a can). Shreddings of ham from the last of the pack And a handful of mushrooms I found at the back. On with the pasta In all kinds of shapes, Oddments from four bags Not one did escape! Then came the question the Five O'clock Shout: 'What is for tea mum, or will we go out?' All was cooked up Just using my wits, That great mothers' standby 'Pasta - with bits' !

More nonsense

Claiming to have made a 'nutritionally sound' pizza, and going on to tackle curry and fish and chips, to make it easier for those who buy ready meals and the like to achieve a blanaced diet. To my mind, a proper traditional pizza, made with good wholesome ingredients and not rubbish, can be an adequate and welcome part of a balanced diet, same with a good curry or good fish and chips. Less salt in everything would be a start, the salt levels in ready meals are horrendous. I think the money involed in the research could be much better spent.  People shouldn;t have to be encouraged in this way to achieve a balanced diet - more emphasis should be put on good, wholesome fresh food made at home, rather than what is effectiely still crap food and lining the pockets of the mutilnationals who in all truth don't give a fig about ordinary folks' health so long as their bottom line is showing a profit. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18663969